Don’t be an ordinary trader, be a Trusted Trader

A new scheme, run by the Trading Standards service, is seeking ‘Trusted Traders’ who work in the local home improvement sector.

The Trusted Trader scheme is a local business partnership. Businesses that sign up to the scheme will be vetted by Trading Standards and they will have access to advice on both civil and criminal consumer protection legislation.

Their details will be added to a database of Trusted Traders which will be available to the public through the Council’s website. They will also be able to display a Trusted Trader sticker on their company vehicle.

Businesses will also gather feedback from their customers and this will be shared on the Trusted Trader website.

Evidence shows that consumers trust reviews by their peers with the rise of websites like TripAdvisor, Reevoo and Trustpilot, to name just a few.

And in areas where the scheme is already running businesses have shown a marked increase in trade.

Dundee City Council reported that 93% of Trusted Traders said that the scheme had helped their business. 87% said membership had attracted new customers while one trader stated that 50% of their trade was due to the scheme.

Councillor Tom Cook, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Equalities said: “The Trusted Trader scheme has proved to be very successful across Scotland. It helps to increase consumer confidence, promote good practice and protect local people from doorstep crime.

“The scheme can really help local businesses. Across Scotland businesses have seen a marked increase in business; while consumers have increased confidence in securing the services of tradesperson. It can also take the apprehension out of securing a tradesperson, which can cause anxiety to our older and vulnerable people.

“I would urge local businesses to sign up to the scheme and become one of East Ayrshire’s Trusted Traders.”

The cost of membership is £100 for a non-VAT registered business and £200 for a VAT registered business.

Businesses can find out more or join the scheme by emailing trading.standards@east-ayrshire.gov.uk, call 01563 576602 or online.